• THE Constitution pub has reopened after four years of temperance.

Named after “Old Ironsides”, the famous American frigate USS Constitution, a ship from the “Age of Sail” preserved in Boston, Young’s has clearly decided it’s out with the old!

The last pub sign was a painting of the ship. The new sign is boring, a large C.

Does it mean Clown, a reference to the owner, perhaps? Locals may have other ideas for its meaning.

Young’s seem to have spent a huge number of dollars on the refit. I understand it expects the main footfall to be that from the towpath rather than St Pancras Way.

Yet the pub is spoiled for a ha’porth of tar, ghastly graffiti on the walls alongside the towpath entrance remains.

Not bothering to remove the graffiti shows a lack of community spirit and is hardly a welcoming sign to canal and towpath users.

Not a great start to the new commission. Why couldn’t Young’s finish the job properly?

LESTER MAY
‘A former naval person’, NW1